BBMP polls: Palike can’t get its numbers right!

Bengaluru: BBMP is notorious for poor financial management and is also involved in scams worth crores of rupees. Successive governments have not even bothered to instill financial discipline and root out corruption in the civic body, said N. Mukund General Secretary, Citizens Action Forum (CAF). In foreign countries civic bodies work wonders to upgrade amenities and the living standards of the citizens, but in Bengaluru the civic body does just the opposite and cares two hoots for the honest tax payers, he lamented.

Year after year the BBMP has placed inflated budget and deflated the financial health of the civic body, to the extent that they always have to look up to the state government or pledge some of their valuable properties to raise money. For instance, over the years the BBMP has been placing an inflated budget of nearly 30 per cent, without giving any thought on how to bridge the gap. As a result the Palike now has an outstanding debt of Rs 9,000 crore, he pointed out.

Lack of internal audit for the last several years and lack of accountability on part of officials and elected representatives have wrecked fiscal prudence. Although the BBMP has potential to collect Rs 5,000 crore as revenue, including property tax, but its annual collection is less than 50 per cent, said Mukund.

While over 50 per cent of the BBMP revenue comes from property tax, it beats the logic of higher taxation as more than 35 per cent of properties still go untaxed. The BBMP has miserably failed in plugging the revenue leakage, be it property tax, advertisement revenue or trade licence. On the other hand there has been discussion on enhancing the property tax which will burden citizens. When the BBMP has failed in its duty of providing adequate amenities to citizens how can the property tax be increased, he questioned.

BBMP has failed to devise a proper mechanism to collect property tax from all structures. Besides, officials connive with building owners and property tax is under-assessed to favour owners and builders, Mukund alleged.

There is a dire need to have Ombudsman in the BBMP to deal with complaints regarding financial irregularities. This would also help prevent revenue leakage. In the absence of an Ombudsman scams are going on unabated.

The poor financial health of the BBMP is forcing the civic body to pledge some of its prestigious properties to raise money. And since they are not able to service the loans, more properties are being pledged. Unless some financial discipline is brought in and revenue leakage is plugged, the BBMP will definitely go to the dogs, Mukund said.

In Shettihalli, garbage, drinking water, sewage major concern

Bengaluru: If the rest of Bengaluru thinks like Shettihalli does, property tax collection in the city should be growing leaps and bounds! On the second day of the ward-level debate organised by Namma Bengaluru Foundation, candidates contesting from Congress, BJP, JD(S) and an independent candidate were involved in a debate and were asked how they would clear the Rs 10k crore debt of BBMP.

The candidates K.C. Venkatesh (BJP), K Nagabhushan (Congress), Prakash A (JD-S) and Independent candidate Shambulinge Gowda suggested that proper collection of property tax could resolve the financial woes of the civic agency.

When asked if BBMP should be split, Mr Venkatesh and Mr Prakash said no, while Mr Nagabhushan supported his party’s stand and said BBMP should be trifurcated. Further, all candidates endorsed the view that garbage, drinking water and sewage were major concerns in their ward.

When asked if the salary of Rs 8,000 given to corporators is sufficient to survive in Bengaluru, Mr Venkatesh, said, “It’s difficult to survive in Bengaluru with Rs 8,000. I run a business.” Mr Nagabhusan said corporators were not fighting elections for the Rs 8,000 salary, Mr Prakash said he had other sources of income and did not depend on BBMP’s salary.

Finally, when asked how they will stay in touch with voters, Mr Venkatesh said, “I will go to people and allocate time for voters. Our life is dedicated to the people.” Mr Nagabhusan, said, “I’m not giving out pamphlets, I’m giving visiting cards to people. They can contact me anytime.” Mr Prakash said, “People can visit me at my house till 9 am and then I’ll be in my ward.” The moderators were NBF CEO Sridhar Pabbisetty and political observer Prakash Belawadi.

He sold newspapers, can he grab votes?

The BJP candidate for Yelahanka Upanaagar ward, Satish, knows the area like the back of his hand. He has been in regular touch with local residents as he used to distribute newspapers. Now he is approaching the same people to seek votes.

The 46-year-old candidate said right from college days he wanted to serve the people and uphold the cause of Kannada language. He was associated with Kannada Vidyarthi Ranadheera Pade at RC College.

Satish

“I was associated with JD (S) and subsequently I was inspired by MLA S. R. Vishwanath and joined BJP. Since I was identified with Vishwanath, our customers shared their area problems with me. I spoke to our area people when I went to collect newspaper bills and responded to their problems,” he said.

“The party and Vishwanath took note of this quality of mine and thought I would do justice to the ward if voted to power. It was a surprise for me when they picked me as the candidate for the Yelahanka Upanaagar ward, he said.

The previous corporator fr the ward was also from BJP had done good work. I hope to use it as a stepping stone. The contacts with my subscribers have also come in handy, he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was selling chai has occupied one of the top posts on politics. I take pride as the party has identified me and issued me the ticket. I promise to live up to their expectations.

Stars to hit the trail for Congress

In order to pep up its campaign and lure urban voters, the Congress is planning to rope in popular Telugu film stars such as Chiranjeevi, Khushboo and Nagma.

Congress sources said that stars play a crucial role in persuading and winning the hearts of urban voters. Since Eastern, South Eastern and Northern parts of the city are are dominated by Telugu speaking people these stars are expected to impress them. However, these stars are yet to confirm their availability. The party will also be bringing in Kannada actress and former MP Ramya for the campaign.

The party sources feel that Modi wave has abated and the city residents are upset with the BJP-ruled BBMP and are looking for a change. The garbage crisis and pothole ridden roads have frustrated the citizens, they added. It may be noted that there is no dearth of cine stars in the party. Apart from Ramya, Kannada actors like Bhavana and Umashree too would campaign for the Congress party.

Candidate declared elected unopposed

In an interesting development, a BJP candidate was elected unopposed from Hongasandra ward, even before the last day for the withdrawal of nomination got over. The State Election Commission (SEC) has announced BJP candidate Bharati Ramachandra elected as the JD(S) had not fielded any candidate from the ward, while the nomination of Congress candidate Maheshwari got rejected for want of a valid caste certificate.

In addition two independents, Shwetha Nagaraj and Sana Ismail, who had filed their nominations earlier, too withdrew them on Thursday. The BBMP polls are slated to be held on August 22.